The air was thick with anticipation as Eryndor's presence seemed to fill the clearing. Kain could feel the power radiating from the mysterious figure, as if the Luck itself was woven into their very being. There was no denying it now—everything was connected, and everyone they met from this point on would play a part in the world's fate.
Eryndor's luminous eyes locked onto Kain's, a knowing smile tugging at the corners of their lips. "You are wondering what this all means, aren't you?" they asked, their voice soft yet resonant, as though they were speaking directly to Kain's thoughts.
Kain didn't answer immediately, his mind still processing the information. He had spent so much of his life trying to manipulate the Luck, control it, shape it to fit his own desires. But now, standing before someone so clearly attuned to its power, he understood how little he truly knew.
"How do you know what we're here for?" Kain finally asked, his tone cautious, his hand still hovering near the hilt of his sword.
Eryndor gave a short, melodic laugh, a sound that sent a chill down Kain's spine. "The Luck whispers to those who listen, but it is not so easily understood. Those of us bound to it have learned to follow its lead, though the path is rarely straight."
Sylva, who had been silently observing the exchange, spoke up. "You've been waiting for us, haven't you?"
Eryndor's smile deepened. "Not waiting, exactly. But I have been watching. The threads have been moving for some time, and I knew that the moment you crossed into this realm, I would be called."
Kain's confusion deepened. "You've been watching us?"
Eryndor nodded. "Yes. You and the others like you. The Luck chooses its vessels in mysterious ways, but there is always a purpose, a plan, even if it isn't immediately clear."
"And how do you know this?" Torin asked, his voice skeptical, yet his posture tense. "How do we know you're not just another part of this chaos?"
For the first time, Eryndor's expression shifted—just slightly. The amusement faded, and something darker flickered in their eyes. "The Luck does not choose its champions lightly. I am not a mere pawn, nor am I one to be deceived. The same Luck that binds us will guide us all—if we are brave enough to follow it."
Kain felt the weight of those words settle over him. The Luck was far more than a mere force—it was alive, almost sentient, and it had been shaping the course of their lives for reasons they still couldn't fully grasp.
"You said there was a test," Kain said, his voice steady, though his mind was reeling. "What does that mean?"
Eryndor's gaze flickered toward Sylva before returning to Kain. "The first test," Eryndor said, their voice now grave, "is one of trust. You have come to me because the Luck has called you, but can you trust the Luck to lead you? Will you follow its current, even if it takes you into the unknown?"
Kain clenched his jaw, resisting the urge to step back. This wasn't just about understanding the Luck—it was about surrendering to it, to allowing something so unpredictable, so uncontrollable, to take the reins.
"We've already trusted it," Sylva said, her voice unwavering. "We've come this far because we believe in its guidance."
Eryndor nodded, seemingly pleased with her response, but Kain couldn't shake the sense that something was off. There was an edge to the situation, a sense of danger that lingered in the air.
"The test will be different for each of you," Eryndor continued, their voice growing softer, yet more powerful. "You will face challenges that will reveal not just your strengths, but your deepest fears. The Luck does not care for your pride. It only cares for the truth of your heart."
Kain's stomach tightened. Fears. Truth. Those were words he had spent years burying deep within himself, locked away where no one could touch them. The Luck had already stripped away so much—had already pushed him to confront his past, his regrets—and now it was calling for more.
"Why now?" Kain asked, the words slipping out before he could stop them. "Why bring us all together now? What's the point of all this?"
Eryndor's gaze turned distant for a moment, as though reflecting on something long past. When they spoke again, it was with a note of finality.
"Because the Luck is unbalanced. The forces that have been set in motion are threatening to tear this world apart. The others are scattered, but you will find them. Together, you can restore what has been lost."
Kain's heart raced. He wasn't sure what it was—fear, anticipation, or something else entirely—but the weight of responsibility was suffocating. It was no longer just about him, or his path, or even the Luck itself. It was about a much greater force, something that could affect the fate of everything he knew.
Eryndor turned and started walking toward the forest's edge, gesturing for them to follow. "The first challenge is ahead. The Luck will show you what you must face."
The group hesitated for only a moment before they followed Eryndor into the darkness. The path ahead was unclear, the forest dense and unfamiliar, but Kain had no choice but to move forward.
As they walked, the feeling of something watching them—a presence just beyond their reach—grew stronger. The forest itself seemed to hum, as if aware of their every step. Kain felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end, and he instinctively reached for his sword. Though he wasn't sure what he expected to find, he knew that whatever lay ahead would test them in ways they weren't prepared for.
The further they went, the more oppressive the atmosphere became. The trees grew thicker, blocking out the moonlight and plunging them into shadow. There was no sound—no animals, no rustling leaves—just the heavy silence that seemed to weigh on them.
Then, without warning, Eryndor stopped.
"We are here," they said quietly, turning to face the group. "This is where the first test will begin."
Kain scanned their surroundings, but all he saw were dark trees and underbrush. The air felt thick, as though they had crossed some invisible threshold. The Luck had brought them here, but what awaited them? And how would they know when the test had truly begun?
Without another word, Eryndor stepped forward, disappearing into the darkness ahead. The group followed, but Kain couldn't shake the sense that something was coming—something that would demand everything from them.
They weren't just walking toward the unknown—they were walking toward the heart of the Luck itself.
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End of Chapter Thirty: The First Test.
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Volume 2 continues...